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Three Surprising Things We Weren’t Expecting to See at the Disney Springs Preview

Recently, we shared a sneak peek of what Disney Springs will look like tomorrow when some of its third-party restaurants and stores reopen thanks to a special media preview that took place earlier today.

Disney Springs

But while we were ready to see temperature screening areas and increased signage based on our experience at Universal CityWalk Orlando as well as the safety guidelines previously issued by Disney Springs, there were still a few surprises mixed in!

Trash Can Lids Have Been Removed

For guests’ and Cast Members’ safety, you’ll notice Disney Springs has their trash can lids so that disposing of trash will now be hands-free.

Water Fountains Are Turned Off

Another thing that was mentioned at the Disney Springs preview is that water fountains have been shut off completely for the time being. We’re expecting they’ll be covered in some way to indicate they’re currently out of service. So far, Disney has installed several handwashing stations (like the ones we saw appear in the parks shortly before the closure began).

We’ll be curious to see if Disney Springs provides an alternative source of drinking water, such as portable water stations.

Dedicated Team of Greeters

And while we had an inkling Disney would be training a specialized team of Cast Members, we didn’t know just what to expect.

©Disney

Click here to learn more about Disney’s new health and safety team!

But today we were introduced to a new team are called Greeters, comprised of Resorts Children’s Activities Cast Members.

They’ll be helping guests in fun and caring ways while ensuring that guests are maintaining health and social distancing guidelines while roaming Disney Springs!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, cast members, disney springs, Disney World, Disney World Cast Members, greeters, may 20th, phased reopening, safety ambassadors, surprising facts, trash can lids removed, turned off, water fountains

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Disney Parks Other

NEWS! Disney Springs Reduces Operating Hours

As we’ve seen many new safety guidelines and other preparations being made for Disney Springs’ phased reopening tomorrow. Now, we’ve just learned what the new hours will be for the time being.

Disney Springs

According to its website, the new hours for Disney Springs will be 10AM to 10PM.

So far, only some third-party restaurants and retail locations will be reopening tomorrow with several Disney-owned businesses planning to reopen on May 27th.

We’ll be reporting live from Disney Springs tomorrow to show you what the restaurants and shops at Disney World look and feel like so you’ll know what you can expect if you plan on visiting the area soon. Stay tuned!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, disney springs, Disney World, may 20th, new hours, phased reopening, posted hours, reduced hours, reopening, temporary closure, third-party businesses

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Disney Parks Other

Disney Springs PREVIEW! Here’s What Disney World’s “New Look” Is Like

Disney Springs is set to reopen tomorrow with limited hours and we’re getting set to check out all of the changes.

Disney Springs

Today though, local Orlando media has been allowed into a preview of the health measures that will be in place for tomorrow in Disney Springs. We’re taking a look at some of their coverage to get an idea of what we’ll see in the dining, retail, and entertainment complex tomorrow.

Disney is currently allowing a limited variety of local media sources to get a glimpse at what a reopened Disney Springs may look like. We’re taking a look at some of the social posts from Cierra Putman at WFTV, Dewayne Bevil at Orlando Sentinel, Amanda Dukes at WESH, Asher Wildman from Spectrum News, and Robert Guaderrama from FOX 35 Orlando.

Let’s see what Disney Springs looks like today!

Health Screening and Temperature Checks

As we know, Disney is requiring health screenings and temperature checks for those entering Disney Springs. It is also required that all guests and Cast Members wear masks during their time in the complex. Dukes reported in on what the screening space looked like when she arrived.

Remember, anyone with a temperature above 100.4 degrees will not be allowed into Disney Springs. Guaderrama also checked in on these requirements on his way into the media preview.

Looking back on our experience at Universal Orlando CityWalk, we interested to see how smoothly these temperature checks will run.

Greeter Team from Resort Children’s Activities Cast

A big difference from CityWalk’s reopening is that Disney Springs will have a dedicated team that will roam the complex making sure that guests are physical distancing and adding a little bit of magic for kids so that the safety precautions don’t seem too scary.

©Disney

Members of the team are called Greeters, per Guaderrama, and are made up of Resorts Children’s Activities Cast Members.

This group had a lot of energy at the media preview, giving us a taste of the way they’ll try to bring smiles to guests’ faces.

Health and Safety Signage

There is also a bunch of health and safety signage posted as well. Bevil posted this photo of a sign that encourages distancing and sanitation standards.

Like we’ve seen in Disneyland Shanghai and in Universal’s CityWalk, Disney has opted to add some markings on the ground to aid in distancing and the flow of guest traffic.

World of Disney even has some stickers that are just like the ones in Shanghai to help guests with queueing at the entrance, per Bevil. Perhaps capacity will be limited within the store too. Remember, Disney-owned locations will not open until May 27th.

These measures will help to keep guests aware and doing their part when it comes to safety tomorrow and beyond.

Hand Washing Stations

There are a bunch of handwashing and hand sanitizing stations located around the complex for guest use.

One interesting measure is that trash cans have had their lids removed so that they can be hands-free, according to Wildman! He also noted the water fountains will not be functioning for the time being. However, Cast Members explained that this could change in the future.

Guests and Cast Members are encouraged to wash their hands often for their safety.

Changes to Dining

Bevil posted some photos from a few dining locations. Wine Bar George, for instance, has spread out the tables on the patio so that customers can keep their distance from one another.

Some restaurant employees were around too, getting their spots ready to serve customers tomorrow. Bevil noticed some workers getting things prepared over at Paradiso 37.

These are just two of the restaurants confirmed to be opening tomorrow, and some of the others may have differences in their health measures.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney springs, Disney Springs closure, Disney Springs health measures, disney springs reopening

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Disney Parks Other

A New Team of Health and Safety Cast Members Will Be at the Reopening of Disney Springs Tomorrow

As we’re gearing up to see what Disney Springs will be like tomorrow during the first day of its phased reopening, we’ve already learned about some of the new safety measures and menu changes many of the third-party restaurants have been making.

Disney Springs Pre-Closure

Now we’ve learned about a special team of Disney World ambassadors that will be present at Disney Springs starting tomorrow.

On Disney World Cast and Community’s Facebook page, we just learned a new team of Cast Members has been assembled for Disney Springs’ gradual reopening. This group is comprised of Cast Members from various Disney World Resorts’ Children Activities Services are now called Greeters and they’ll be helping guests in fun and caring ways while providing a little extra assistance when needed!

They will also be making sure that guests are adhering to social distancing guidelines. According to Disney, “they have a keen understanding of our enhanced health and safety procedures, and will throw in some pixie dust for good measure.”

©Photo Courtesy of Disney World Cast and Community’s Facebook Page

If you’re on your way to Disney Springs tomorrow, make sure you check out the latest safety guidelines here, and if you see any of these Disney Cast Members in their spiffy bright yellow shirts out and about, say hello!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney merchandise, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, ambassadors, cast members, disney springs, Disney World Cast and Community’s, Disney World Resorts’ Children Activities Services, gradual reopening, guest services, health and safety, may 20th, new team, phased reopening, specialized cast members, team

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News: Menu Changes Revealed Ahead of Disney Springs Reopening at Ghirardelli, Planet Hollywood, and The BOATHOUSE

Tomorrow will be the first day of the phased reopening of Disney Springs. A number of restaurants and shops owned by third-party vendors will start to welcome guests on May 20th, while select Disney-owned-and-operated locations will open starting May 27th.

Disney Springs Town Center

We know that there will be changes at Disney Springs with regards to new safety measures upon the reopening of Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district. And as individual locations prepare to reopen, we are also becoming aware of menu modifications we might anticipate at various restaurants, according to changes as spotted on online menus.

Yesterday, we explored menu changes for Wine Bar George, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Splitsville Luxury Lanes, and Paddlefish. And Frontera Cocina has released a look at the location’s temporary menu upon reopening.

And now, we’re checking out changes we spotted for Planet Hollywood, Ghirardelli, and The BOATHOUSE.

Planet Hollywood

Guests at Planet Hollywood can typically expect to find a HUGE array of items on the menu. For that reason, the menu at Planet Hollywood looks at though it remains fairly extensive.

Planet Hollywood

However, among the removed options, we noticed the following: appetizers including the Hummus Trio, Potato Wedge Dippers, Fried Jumbo Shrimp, and Spinach and Berries have been removed.

Among Entrees that are no longer listed are the Six-Cheese Chicken Macaroni and Cheese, Shrimp Florentine, Turkey Pic A Nic, Fresh Florida Mahi Mahi, the New York Strip Steak for 2, and — a DFB Planet Hollywood pick — the Pimento Grilled Cheese.

Pimento Grilled Cheese

Unavailable side options include the Baked Potato, Fresh Cut Fruit, and House Salad.

And desserts — at least upon the reopening — appear to not include Sticky Toffee Pudding, Key Lime Pie, Planet Meltdown, or the Brownie Sundae Martini.

Planet Meltdown — Melt Commencing

Additionally, Big Dipper Shakes are not currently listed.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

Ghirardelli appears to be preparing a highly modified menu for the initial reopening, with the most notable change being the reduced selection of specialty sundaes.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain

Offerings including the Golden Gate Banana Split, the Treasure Island Warm Brownie Sundae, Strike It Rich Butterscotch, the Marina Raspberry Sorbet Sundae, and the Crissy Fields Cookie Bits Sundae and more are all currently removed from the menu.

Crissy Fields Cookie Bits Sundae

And The Earthquake — a HUGE, made-for-sharing, family-sized sundae made to serve four (similar to the Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream) is also missing from the options.

Earthquake Family Favorite

For Sundaes, the Ocean Beach Sea Salt Caramel Sundae, World Famous Hot Fudge, and Gold Rush Sundae are all still listed. And guests will be able to order up a classic shake in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or cookies and cream, and a good ol’ scoop or cone of ice cream — single, double, or take on the triple! However, specialty Quake Shakes (such as Sea Salt Caramel and chocolate bar infused-shakes) are not currently listed on the menu; and neither are Ice Cream Floats or Waffle Bowls.

Ghirardelli’s Quake Shake

Specialty coffee beverages (lattes, cappuccinos, and the like), as well as tea varieties have been removed from the selections. And we are not seeing the Decadent Drinking Chocolate on the list.

Ghirardelli Drinking Chocolate

A selection of Ghirardelli chocolate drinks that are still listed include the popular Classic and Sea Salt Caramel Hot Cocoa — and, now that the temperatures are definitely warming up, the still-available Frozen Hot Cocoa will likely be an even more popular option.

The BOATHOUSE

Before we look at changes for The BOATHOUSE, it’s well worth noting that, as a Signature restaurant, the menu at The BOATHOUSE does change with some frequency for seasonal offerings, so change is often the name of the seasonal game here!

The Boathouse

That said, the removals we noticed include the Lobster Cocktail, Broiled Wild-Caught Swordfish Steak, BOATHOUSE BBQ Shrimp & Grits, BOATHOUSE BBQ Bacon Burger, and the FBA State Champion 2017 Pulled Pork Sandwich.

Boathouse’s Dockside Lager at The BOATHOUSE

Also no longer spotted on the menu are the Award-Winning Cherry-Smoked BBQ Chicken, Lobster with Orecchiette Pasta, New England Sea Scallops, and the BOATHOUSE Lobster Clambake.

We ARE excited to see the Shrimp & Andouille Mac & Cheese still on the menu, along with plenty of other favorites at this popular waterfront-dining spot.

Boathouse Andouille Mac and Cheese

We will be following the happenings at Disney Springs all day tomorrow for the reopening, and we hope you’ll join us here.

Will you be following the reopening of Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment. 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com

Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, disney springs, disney springs reopening, ghirardelli, May 20th Disney Springs, menu changes, Planet Hollywood, The Boathouse